Polymerization catalysts

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to processes for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. The present invention also relates to a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I): 
       M{C(SiHAlk 2 ) 3 } 3   (I),
 
     and to a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II): 
       MC(SiHAlk 2 ) 3 X 2   (II),
 
     and methods for preparation thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to polymerization catalysts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Homoleptic organometallic compounds, which contain only one type of ligand bonded to a metal center (Zimmermann et al., Chem. Rev. 110:6194-6259 (2010); Edelmann et al., Chem. Rev. 102:1851-1896 (2002); Harder, S., Organometallics 21:3782-3787 (2002); Tsuboyama et al.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125:12971-12979 (2003); Wayda et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 100:7119-7121 (1978); Kruse, W., J. Organomet. Chem., 42:C39 (1972); Zucchini et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 26:357-372 (1971); Kleinhenz et al., Chem. Eur. J., 4:1687-1691 (1998)) have value in synthetic chemistry as catalysts (Watson et al., Acc. Chem. Res. 18:51-56 (1985); Kawaoka et al., Organometallics, 22:4630-4632 (2003); Barrett et al., Proc. R. Soc. A. 466:927-963 (2010)), as well-defined starting materials for single-site grafting onto supports for catalysis (Copéret et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42:156-181 (2003); Quignard et al., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1589-1590 (1991); Quignard et al., Inorg. Chem., 31:928-930 (1992); J. Amor Nait Ajjou et al., Organometallics, 16:86-92 (1997)), as precursors for materials in chemical vapor deposition or other thermal decompositions processes (Valet et al., Chem Mater. 13:2135-2143 (2001); Edelmann, F. T., Chem. Soc. Rev. 38:2253-2268 (2009)), and for combination with a range of ancillary ligands as an entry-point into reactive organometallic compounds (Trifonov et al., Organometallics 20:4869-4874 (2001)). New homoleptic organometallics, thus, can lead to new possibilities in synthesis and catalysis.

Studies of homoleptic rare earth tris(alkyl) starting materials have typically focused on β-hydrogen-free alkyl ligands, namely CH₂SiMe₃ (Lappert et al., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 126 (1973); Atwood et al., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 140-142 (1978); Schumann et al., Anorg. Allg. Chem. 628:2422-2426 (2002)), CH(SiMe₃)₂ (Hitchcock et al., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1007-1009 (1988)), and CH₂C₆R₅ (Wooles et al., Dalton Trans. 39:500-510 (2010); Bambirra et al., Organometallics 25:3454-3462 (2006); Huang et al., Organometallics 32:1379-1386 (2013); Bambirra et al., Organometallics 26:1014-1023 (2007)). Applications of homoleptic trivalent compounds containing these ligands, particularly those of the abundant light lanthanides (La, Ce, Pr, Nd), are limited by their thermal lability, challenging multistep syntheses, the formation of salt adducts, or the difficulty to exclude THF from the metal center's coordination sphere. For example, lanthanide tris(benzyl) compounds and their substituted derivatives are limited by the thermal lability of La(CH₂Ph)₃THF₃ or Ce(CH₂Ph)₃THF₃ at room temperature. Ligand design strategies have sought to overcome these difficulties.

For example, α-metalated N,N-dimethylbenzylamine lanthanide complexes are persistent at room temperature (Behrle et al., Organometallics 30:3915-3918 (2011)). Chelating ortho-dimethylaminobenzyl ligands also give stabilized organolanthanide complexes presumably due to intramolecular coordination (Harder, S., Organometallics 24:373-379 (2005)). The bulky alkyl ligand —C(SiMe₃)₃, provides homoleptic isolable, donor-solvent free compounds but is restricted to divalent Ln (II) compounds (Eaborn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116:12071-12072 (1994)). Interestingly, non-classical Ln

Me-Si interactions were observed in Yb{C(SiMe₃)₃}₂ (Eaborn et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 116:12071-12072 (1994)) and La{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₃ (Hitchcock et al., J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Commun. 1007-1009 (1988)). In addition, both of these donor-free homoleptic rare earth alkyls adopt solid-state structures that are distorted with respect to VSEPR predictions. Yb{C(SiMe₃)₃}₂ is bent (C-Yb-C 137°), and La{CH(SiMe₃)₂}₃ is pyramidal (Σ_(CLaC)=330°), rather than pyramidal. The significant steric profile is the key to the persistence of these compounds.

The choice of alkyl ligand, however, may not need to be limited to the β-hydrogen-free hydrocarbyl groups. For example, [Ln^(t)Bu₄]⁻ and Cp₂Lu^(t)Bu(THF) are isolable and eliminate isobutylene under only relatively forcing conditions (Schumann et al., Organometallics 3:69-74 (1984); Schumann et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 306:215-225 (1986); Noh et al., Polyhedron 26:3865-3870 (2007); Evans et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 104:2015-2017 (1982)). In catalysis, particularly ethylene polymerization, ultra-high molecular weight products are obtained from rare earth catalysts, and presumably the long polymer chains are accessible partly because β-hydrogen elimination is slow (Kempe, R., Chem. Eur. J. 13:2764-2773 (2007)). In such a scenario, the presence of β-hydrogen may stabilize reactive alkyl groups, as in Cp*₂ScEt and other agostic compounds (Scherer et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 43:1782-1806 (2004), Burger et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112:1566-1577 (1990)). Moreover, valuable aspects of metal-ligand bonding and reactivity is ignored in the absence of studies of β-hydrogen containing complexes.

An alternative means for stabilizing metal centers in homoleptic compounds, utilized mainly for amides, involves the β-silicon and β-hydrogen containing ligands such as tetramethyldisilazide —N(SiHMe₂)₂ and tert-butyl dimethylsilazide —N(tBu(SiHMe₂) ligands (Rees Jr. et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Eng. 35:419-422 (1996)). Tetramethyldisilazide has been widely studied in d⁰ and f-element chemistry (Crozier et al., Chem. Commun. 49:87-89 (2013); Bienfait et al., Dalton Trans. 43:17324-17332 (2014); Anwander et al., J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans. 847-858 (1998)). Early metal and rare earth silazides containing β-Si—H often form agostic-type structures evident from low energy Si—H vibrations and deviation from Ln-N—Si angles within a given silylamide ligand (Crozier et al., Chem. Commun. 49:87-89 (2013); Bienfait et al., Dalton Trans. 43:17324-17332 (2014)). Ansa-lanthanidocene compounds containing N(SiHMe₂)₂ ligand exhibit an unusual β Si—H diagostic interactions (Eppinger et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122:3080-3096 (2000)). Despite the rich chemistry of tetramethyldisilazido rare earth complexes, the chemistry of rare earth metals with β-SiH containing alkyl remains unexplored.

The chemistry explored thus far for ligands containing β-SiH groups is limited to the silazide. Previously, the synthesis of a β-Si—H containing tris(alkyl)yttrium complex Y{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (Yan et al., Chem. Commun. 656-658 (2009)) and bisalkyls M{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂THF₂ (M=Ca, Yb)(Yan et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131:15110-15111 (2009)) was demonstrated. These complexes contained non-classical β Si—H-M interactions, but they did not undergo β-H elimination upon thermolysis to 100° C. even though the metal center was (at least formally) coordinatively unsaturated. However, M{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂THF₂ (M=Ca, Yb) reacted via β-hydrogen abstraction with Lewis acid.

The present invention is directed to overcoming these and other deficiencies in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl,

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II):

MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal;

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane;

R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; and

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a catalyst. This process includes providing a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; providing a Lewis acid or a halide source; and forming the catalyst by reacting the precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I) with the Lewis acid or the halide source.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. This process includes providing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers; providing a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II):

MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal;

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane;

R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; and

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; and polymerizing the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of the catalyst under conditions effective to produce a polymer.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. This process includes providing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers; providing a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is prepared by the process comprising:

providing a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

reacting the precatalyst of Formula (I) under conditions effective to produce the catalyst; and polymerizing the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of the catalyst under conditions effective to produce polymer.

Thermally stable homoleptic rare earth tris(alkyl) complexes Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ were synthesized through salt metathesis reactions of lanthanide triiodides and 3 equiv. of KC(SiHMe₂)₃. The isolated, recrystallized product does not contain THF or the KI byproduct in the final product, as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Such studies of the complexes revealed pseudo-C₃-symmetric tris(alkyl) molecules containing two non-classical Ln

H—Si interactions per alkyl ligand, thereby generating six such interactions in one molecule. Infrared and ¹HNMR spectroscopic assignments were further supported by preparation of deuterated analogues Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃. These organometallic compounds persisted in solution and the solid state up to 80° C. without formation of HC(SiHMe₂)₃ or the β-hydrogen elimination product {Me₂Si—C(SiHMe₂)₂}₂. Reactions of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ with one and two equiv. of B(C₆F₅)₃ resulted in intermolecular β-hydrogen abstraction yielding Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂HB(C₆F₅)₃ and NdC(SiHMe₂)₃{HB(C₆F₅)₃}₂, respectively. The latter compound's structure was determined by single crystal x-ray diffraction, and the rendered thermal ellipsoid plot is shown in FIG. 2.

The present invention relates to the synthesis of new base-free homoleptic trivalent neodymium alkyl complexes. Their reactions with the Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ resulted in abstraction of the hydride from the SiH and generation of zwitterion species, which were found to be highly active catalysts for the polymerization of butadiene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows rendered thermal ellipsoid plot showing a side-view of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (1d). Ellipsoids were plotted at 50% probability, with the exception of C⁸, C16, and C18 which were plotted at 25% probability for clarity. Hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon were located objectively in the Fourier difference map, and these were included in the figure. All other H atoms and a co-crystallized benzene molecule were not included for clarity. Significant interatomic distances (Å): Nd1-C1, 2.623(2); Nd1-C8, 2.623(2); Nd1-C15, 2.632(3); Nd1-Si1, 3.1349(9); Nd1-Si2, 3.1727(8); Nd1-Si4, 3.152(1); Nd1-Si5, 3.1435(8); Nd1-Si7, 3.1456(9); Nd1-Si8, 3.1672(7); C1-Si1, 1.830(3); C1-Si3, 1.848(3). Significant interatomic angles)(°): C1-Nd1-C2, 119.04(8); C1-Nd1-C3, 121.01(8); C2-Nd1-C3, 119.88(8); Nd1-C1-Si1, 87.6(1); Nd1-C1-Si2, 89.1(1); Nd1-C1-Si3, 128.5(1); Nd1-C2-Si4, 88.2(1); Nd1-C2-Si5, 87.9(1); Nd1-C2-Si6, 129.9(1); Nd1-C3-Si7, 87.9(1); Nd1-C3-Si8, 88.6(1); Nd1-C3-Si9, 123.5(1).

FIG. 2 shows ORTEP diagram of NdC(SiHMe₂)₃{HB(C₆F₅)₃}₂. Ellipsoids were plotted at 50% probability. Hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon were located objectively in the Fourier difference map. Significant interatomic distances (Å): Nd1-C1, 2.512(11); Nd1-F24, 2.857(6); Nd1-F30, 2.614(6); Nd1-F60, 2.600(7); Nd1-Si1, 3.135(3); Nd1-Si2, 3.101(4); C1-Si1, 1.844(1); C1-Si2, 1.839(1); C1-Si3, 1.870(1). Significant interatomic angles)(°: Nd1-C1-Si1, 90.7(5); Nd1-C1-Si2, 89.6(5); Nd1-C1-Si3, 132.8(6); Si1-C1-Si2, 119.4(7); Si1-C1-Si3, 112.9(6); Si2-C1-Si3, 110.3(7).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl,

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.

As used above, and throughout the description herein, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings. If not defined otherwise herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.

The term “lanthanide” or “lanthanide metal atom” refers to the element with atomic numbers 57 to 71. Lanthanides include La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.

The term “transition metal” refers to an element whose atom has an incomplete d sub-shell, or which can give rise to cations with an incomplete d sub-shell. Transition metals include Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Ac, Rf, and Ha.

The term “rare earth metal” refers to Y, Sc, and lanthanides. Rare earth metals include Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.

The term “alkyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may be straight or branched having about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, or propyl are attached to a linear alkyl chain. Exemplary alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, and 3-pentyl.

The term “halide” refers to a halogen atom bearing a negative charge.

The term “halogen” means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

The term “bis(oxazolinato)” or “BOX” refers to compounds containing two oxazoline rings. Exemplary bis(oxazolinato) ligands are shown below.

The term “alkyl aluminate” refers to compounds represented by the formula [Al[O_(m)(R¹O)_(n)R² _(o)]_(n)]⁻, wherein R¹O is alkyloxide; R² is alkyl; the sum of m/2+n+o is 4; and n is 1 to 4.

The term “carboxylate” refers to a conjugate base of a carboxylic acid, RCOO⁻ (where R is the organic substituent).

The term “acetyl acetonate” refers to the enol form of acetylacetone.

The term “amidate” refers to a carboximate of the type RCONR′⁻, as the conjugate base of an amide RCONHR′ (where R and R′ are organic substituents).

The term “alkoxide” refers to the conjugate base of an alcohol, RO⁻ (where R is the organic substituent).

The term “amide” refers to a conjugate base of ammonia (the anion H₂N⁻) or of an organic amine (an anion R₂N⁻).

The term “phenyl” means a phenyl group as shown below:

One embodiment relates to the precatalyst of the present invention where M is a rare earth metal. Another embodiment relates to the precatalyst of the present invention where M is Nd.

In one embodiment, the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ia):

In another embodiment, the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ib):

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II):

MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal;

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane;

R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl.

One embodiment relates to the catalyst of the present invention where M is a rare earth metal. Another embodiment relates to the catalyst of the present invention where M is Nd.

Another embodiment relates to the catalyst of the present invention where X is F, Cl, Br, I, O₂CR¹, methylaluminoxane (MAO), or [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], and where R¹ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl.

In one embodiment, the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIa):

In another embodiment, the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIb):

Catalysts of formulae II, IIa, and IIb can be in a monomeric or oligomeric form.

When catalyst of formulae II, IIa, or IIb is present in its monomeric form, it's structure can be represented by formulae II, IIa, or IIb, respectively.

When catalyst of formulae II, IIa, or IIb is present in its oligomeric form, it's structure essentially comprises the repetition of a single constitutional unit (i.e. the molecule of formulae II, IIa, or IIb) with all units connected identically in a directional sense. In one embodiment, oligomeric form of a catalyst of formula II can be represented as follows:

[MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂]_(n),

wherein n is 2-8. In another embodiment, oligomeric form of a catalyst of formula IIa can have a following structure:

wherein n is 2-8. In another embodiment, oligomeric form of a catalyst of formula IIb can have a following structure:

wherein n is 2-8.

In one embodiment, the catalyst having the structure of Formula (II) is supported by an inert carrier. A preferred inert carrier is a porous solid selected from the group consisting of talc, a sheet silicate, an inorganic oxide, and a finely divided polymer powder.

Suitable inorganic oxides are oxides of elements from any of Groups 2-5 and 13-16. Examples of preferred supports include SiO₂, aluminum oxide, and also mixed oxides of the elements Ca, Al, Si, Mg, or Ti and also corresponding oxide mixtures, Mg halides, styrene/divinylbenzene copolymers, polyethylene or polypropylene.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a catalyst. This process includes providing a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I), as fully described above.

The catalyst of the present invention can be prepared by reacting precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I), M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃, with a Lewis acid or a halide source in a suitable solvent. The use of a non-polar solvent is preferred. In one embodiment, the reaction is carried out at a room temperature. Alternatively, this reaction can be carried out at an elevated temperature. However, room temperature is preferred. The reaction can be carried out in an inert atmosphere or under ambient conditions for 10 min to 24 hours, preferably, for 0.5-2 hours. The molar ratio of the precatalyst to the Lewis acid or a halide source is 1:1 to 1:10, preferably 1:2.

One embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the catalyst is formed with a Lewis acid. Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], B(C₆F₅)₃, Ph₃B, PhB(C₆H₅)₂, methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylauminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, dimethylaluminum chloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, diethylaluminum iodide, diethylaluminum chloride, diisopropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, dioctylaluminum chloride, diphenylaluminum chloride, di-p-tolylaluminum chloride, dibenzylaluminum chloride, phenylethylaluminum chloride, phenyl-n-propylaluminum chloride, phenylisopropylaluminum chloride, phenylbutylaluminum chloride, phenylisobutylaluminum chloride, phenyloctylaluminum chloride, p-tolylethylaluminum chloride, p-tolylpropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylbutylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum chloride, p-tolyloctyl aluminum chloride, benzylethylaluminum chloride, benzylpropylaluminum chloride, benzylisopropylaluminum chloride, benzylbutylaluminum chloride, benzylisobutylaluminum chloride, benzyloctylaluminum chloride, propylaluminum dichloride, isopropylaluminum dichloride, butylaluminum dichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, and octylaluminum dichloride. In one embodiment, Lewis acid is an alkylaluminum halide.

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the catalyst is formed with a halide source. The halide source can be Ph₃C-Hal, N-chlorosuccinimide, [Alk₃NH][Hal], or an electrophilic chlorine source, where Hal is halogen and each Alk is independently selected in each occurrence thereof from C₁₋₆ alkyl.

The term “electrophilic chlorine source” refers to an electron-deficient chlorine, generally positively charged (e.g., Cl⁺), but also possibly a halogen radical (Cl⁻). In some embodiments, a catalyst comprising an electrophilic chlorine provides a source of Cl⁺ ions. Exemplary electrophilic chlorine sources include N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS), Cl₂, ICl, chloramine-T, and hexachloroquinone.

A further embodiment relates to the process of the present invention further comprising:

providing a first intermediate compound having the structure of Formula (III):

MI₃THF_(n)  (III),

wherein n is 1 to 9; and forming the precatalyst from the first intermediate compound.

The precatalyst of the present invention can be prepared by reacting MI₃THF_(n) with M¹C(SiHAlk₂)₃ in a protic solvent. A preferred solvent is benzene. In one embodiment, reaction is carried out at room temperature. Alternatively, this reaction can be carried out at an elevated temperature. However, room temperature is preferred. The reaction can be carried out under an inert atmosphere or under ambient conditions. The reaction can be carried out for 1 to 24 hours, preferably, for 10-18 hours, most preferably, 12 hours.

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention as described above, wherein said forming the precatalyst is carried out by reacting the first intermediate compound with a compound having the structure of Formula (IV):

M₁C(SiHAlk₂)₃  (IV),

wherein

M₁ is a metal;

under conditions effective to produce the precatalyst.

Yet another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where M₁ is K and Alk is Me.

A further embodiment relates to a catalyst prepared by the process of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the catalyst is supported by an inert carrier.

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the catalyst comprises a structure of Formula (II):

MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II),

wherein

X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane; and

R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl.

Yet another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where X is F, Cl, Br, I, O₂CR¹, methylaluminoxane (MAO), or [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], and wherein R¹ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl.

A further embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIa):

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIb):

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for preparation of a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr. This process includes providing a first intermediate compound having the structure of Formula (III):

MI₃THF_(n)  (III),

wherein n is 1 to 9 and forming the precatalyst from the first intermediate compound of Formula (III).

One embodiment relates to the process of the present invention wherein said forming the precatalyst comprises:

reacting the first intermediate compound with a compound having the structure of Formula (IV):

M₁C(SiHAlk₂)₃  (IV),

wherein M₁ is a metal;

under conditions effective to produce the precatalyst.

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ia):

Yet another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ib):

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. This process includes providing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers; providing a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II):

MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal;

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane;

R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; and

wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; and polymerizing the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of the catalyst under conditions effective to produce a polymer.

The processes of this invention are used to polymerize any unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer or monomers. Preferred monomers that can be used according to the present invention include olefins, polyenes, and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons.

Polyenes, particularly dienes and trienes (e.g., myrcene) can be employed in accordance with the present invention. Illustrative polyenes include C₄-C₃₀ dienes, preferably C₄-C₁₂ dienes. Preferred among these are conjugated dienes such as, but not limited to, 1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, 1,3-hexadiene, 1,3-octadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-ethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,4-hexadiene, and the like.

Examples of olefins that can be employed according to the present invention include C₂-C₃₀ straight chain or branched α-olefins such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, and the like, as well as C₃-C₃₀ cyclo-olefins such as cyclopentene, cycloheptene, norbornene, 5-methyl-2-norbornene, and tetra-cyclododecene.

Vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons which may be used according to the present invention include vinyl aryl compounds such as, styrene, various alkyl-substituted styrenes, alkoxysubstituted styrenes, 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine, vinylnaphthalene, alkyl-substituted vinyl napthalenes and the like.

One embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer is a diene, styrene or ethylene. In one embodiment, the diene is 1,3-butadiene or isoprene. Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the polymer is polybutadiene or polyisoprene.

The catalyst generated under the above conditions is used for the polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers to obtain polymers with high 1,4-cis content and high conversion. The non-polar solvent used for the polymerization of unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers should contain at least one or more aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., butane, pentane, hexane, isopentane, heptane, octane, and isooctane); cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., cyclopentane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, and ethylcyclohexane); aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or xylene).

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where polymerization is carried in a presence of a solvent. In one embodiment, the solvent is a non-polar solvent not reactive with the components of the catalyst system. Examples of suitable solvents include: aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, isopentane, heptane, octane and isooctane; cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane, methyl cyclopentane, cyclohexane, methyl cyclohexane and ethyl cyclohexane; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. Preferred non-polar solvents include cyclohexane, hexane, heptane, or toluene.

The polymerization solvent, which can significantly affect polymerization, is used after removal of oxygen and water. Polymerization is initiated in an inert atmosphere (preferably, under high-purity nitrogen atmosphere) and the polymerization temperature is preferably carried out at room temperature to 100° C., more preferably 40° C. to 80° C., most preferably 60° C. Under the appropriate catalyst conditions, the polymerization can be carried out for 10 min to 10 hours, preferably 30 min to 6 hours, most preferably two-hours.

The molar ratio of the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer to the solvent is 1:1 to 30:1, preferably 2:1 to 10:1. If the molar ratio exceeds the above range, the viscosity of the polymer solution is increased.

Unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers can be added to the reaction mixture in one portion or gradually. When the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer is gradually added to the reaction mixture, it may be allowed to react for 10 min to 3 hours prior to addition of the next portion of the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer. More preferably this period can be 15 min to 2 hours, most preferably 15 to 30 min.

The conversion of the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers to the polymer under the conditions described above is more than 50%, preferably more than 80%, most preferably, more than 90%.

After polymerization is completed, known processes such as catalyst inactivation treatment, catalyst removing treatment, and drying can be performed if required. The polymerization can be completed by introducing a reaction terminator and/or a stabilizer. The resulting polybutadiene can be precipitated, for example, with methanol or ethanol.

The reaction terminators that can be used according to the present invention include polyoxyethyleneglycolether organophosphate, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, water, or carbon dioxide, organic acids such as octanoic acid, decanoic acid and stearic acid, and the like.

The phenol stabilizers that can be used according to the present invention can be any of known phenol stabilizers having a phenol structure. Examples are 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-dicyclohexyl-p-cresol, 2,6-diisopropyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-t-amyl-p-cresol, 2,6-di-t-octyl-4-n-propylphenol, 2,6-dicyclohexyl-4-n-octylphenol, 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol, 2-t-butyl-4-ethyl-6-t-octylphenol, 2-isobutyl-4-ethyl-6-t-hexylphenol, 2-cyclohexyl-4-n-butyl-6-isopropylphenol, 2-t-butyl-6-(3′-t-butyl)-5′-methyl-2′hydroxybenzyl)-4-methylphenylacrylate, t-butylhydroquinone, 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-butylidenebis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-thiobis(3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-thiobis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-methylenebis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-methylenebis[6-(1-methylcyclohexyl)-p-cresol], 2,2′-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-t-butylphenol), 2,2′-butylidenebis(2-t-butyl-p-cresol), 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane, triethyleneglycol-bis[3-(3-t-butyl-5-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate], 1,6-hexanediol-bis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate], 2,2-thiodiethylenebis[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate], n-octadecyl-3-(3′,5′-di-t-butyl-4′-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, N,N′-hexamethylenebis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-hydrocinnamide), 3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate-diethylester, 1,3,5-tris(2,6-dimetyl-3-hydroxy-4-t-butylbenzyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris[(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyonyloxyethyl]isocyanurate, 2,4-bis(n-octylthio)-6-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylanilino)-1,3,5-triazine, tetrakis[methylene-3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane, bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate ethyl)calcium, bis(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphoric acid ethyl)nickel, N,N′-bis[3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propyonyl]hydrazine, 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol)terephthalate, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, 3,9-bis[1,1-dimethyl-2-{3-(3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionyloxy}ethyl]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane, 2,2-bis[4-{2-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamoyloxy)}ethoxyphenyl]propane, and the like. Preferred stabilizer is 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers. This process includes providing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers; providing a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is prepared by the process comprising:

providing a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I):

M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I),

wherein

M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and

Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl;

reacting the precatalyst of Formula (I) under conditions effective to produce the catalyst; and polymerizing the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of the catalyst under conditions effective to produce polymer. Optionally, if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.

One embodiment relates to the process of the present invention, where said reacting comprises reacting the precatalyst with a Lewis acid and/or an alkylaluminum reagent under conditions effective to produce the catalyst. Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention, where said reacting comprises reacting the precatalyst with an alkylaluminum reagent and/or a halide source under conditions effective to produce the catalyst. Yet another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention, where said reacting comprises reacting the precatalyst with a Lewis acid and/or a halide source under conditions effective to produce the catalyst.

The molar ratio of the precatalyst to the alkylaluminum reagent is 1:1 to 1:300, preferably 1:10 to 1:200.

The molar ratio of the precatalyst to the halide source is 1:1 to 1:200, preferably 1:10 to 1:150.

The molar ratio of the precatalyst to the Lewis acid is 1:1 to 1:200, preferably 1:10 to 1:150.

One embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the alkylaluminum reagent is selected from the group consisting of triisobutylaluminium (TIBA), methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, trimethylaluminum, tripropylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, trioctyl aluminum, triethyl aluminum, triisoprenylaluminum, tris(2-ethylhexyl)aluminum, tricyclohexylaluminum, tri s(1-methylcyclopentyl)aluminum, triphenylaluminum, tri-p-tolylaluminum, tris(2,6-dimethylphenyl)aluminum, tribenzylaluminum, diethylphenylaluminum, diethyl-p-tolylaluminum, diethylbenzyl aluminum, ethyldiphenyl aluminum, ethyldi-p-tolylaluminum, ethyldibenzyl aluminum, triisopropylaluminum, tributylaluminum, tripentyl aluminum, diazobythylaluminum hydride, diethylaluminum hydride, diisopropylaluminum hydride, dibutylaluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, dioctylaluminumhydride, diphenylaluminum hydride, di-p-tolyl aluminum hydride, dibenzylaluminum hydride, phenylethylaluminum hydride, phenylpropylaluminum hydride, phenylisopropylaluminum hydride, phenylbutylaluminum hydride, phenylisobutylaluminum hydride, phenyloctylaluminum hydride, p-tolyl ethyl aluminum hydride, p-tolylpropylaluminum hydride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum hydride, p-tolylbutylaluminum hydride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum hydride, p-tolyloctylaluminum hydride, benzylethylaluminum hydride, benzylpropylaluminum hydride, benzylisopropylaluminum hydride, benzylbutylaluminum hydride, benzylisobutylaluminum hydride, and benzyloctylaluminum hydride.

Another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the Lewis acid is selected from the group consisting of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], B(C₆F₅)₃, Ph₃B, PhB(C₆H₅)₂, Ph₃CCl, methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylauminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentyl aluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, diethyl aluminum chloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, dimethylaluminum chloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, diethylaluminum iodide, diethylaluminum chloride, diisopropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, dioctylaluminum chloride, diphenylaluminum chloride, di-p-tolylaluminum chloride, dibenzylaluminum chloride, phenylethylaluminum chloride, phenyl-n-propyl aluminum chloride, phenylisopropylaluminum chloride, phenylbutylaluminum chloride, phenylisobutylaluminum chloride, phenyloctylaluminum chloride, p-tolylethylaluminum chloride, p-tolylpropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylbutylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum chloride, p-tolyloctylaluminum chloride, benzyl ethyl aluminum chloride, benzylpropylaluminum chloride, benzylisopropylaluminum chloride, benzylbutylaluminum chloride, benzylisobutylaluminum chloride, benzyloctylaluminum chloride, propylaluminum dichloride, isopropylaluminum dichloride, butylaluminum dichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, and octylaluminum dichloride. In one embodiment Lewis acid is an alkylaluminum halide.

Yet another embodiment relates to the process of the present invention where the halide source is Ph₃C-Hal, N-chlorosuccinimide, [Alk₃NH][Hal], or an electrophilic chlorine source, wherein Hal is halogen and each Alkyl is independently selected in each occurrence thereof from C₁₋₆ alkyl.

Examples Example 1—Materials and Methods

All manipulations were performed under a dry argon atmosphere using standard Schlenk techniques or under a nitrogen atmosphere in a glovebox unless otherwise indicated. Water and oxygen were removed from benzene and pentane solvents using an IT PureSolv system. Benzene-d₆ was heated to reflux over Na/K alloy and vacuum-transferred. The compound NdI₃(THF)₃ was prepared based upon literature procedures (Deacon et al., Australian J. of Chem. 53:853-865 (2000); Hazin et al., Organometallics 6:23-27 (1987), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety), KC(SiHMe₂)₃ (Evans et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 104:2015-2017 (1982), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety), B(C₆F₅)₃ (Massey et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 2:245-250 (1964), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) were prepared following literature procedures.

¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹¹B, and ²⁹Si{¹H} NMR spectra were collected on a Bruker DRX-400 spectrometer, a Bruker Avance 111-600 spectrometer, or an Agilent MR 400 spectrometer. ¹¹B NMR spectra were referenced to an external sample of BF₃.Et₂O. Infrared spectra were measured on a Bruker Vertex 80. Elemental analyses were performed using a Perkin-Elmer 2400 Series II CHN/S. X-ray diffraction data was collected on a Bruker APEX II diffractometer.

Example 2—Synthesis of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (1d)

NdI₃(THF)₃ (0.204 g, 0.275 mmol) and KC(SiHMe₂)₃ (0.189 g, 0.827 mmol) were stirred in benzene (10 mL) at room temperature for 12 hours. Evaporation of the volatile materials, pentane extraction (3×5 mL), and evaporation of the pentane afforded a spectroscopically pure sticky yellow solid (0.176 g, 0.247 mmol, 89.7%). This solid was recrystallized at −30° C. from a minimal amount of pentane to obtain 1d as colorless crystals. This solid was recrystallized at −30° C. from a minimal amount of pentane to obtain 1d as blue-green crystals. ¹H NMR (benzene-d₆, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 27.8 (br, SiH), 1.78 (br, SiMe₂). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2954 s, 2900 s, 2108 s (ν_(SiH)), 1829 s br (ν_(SiH)), 1418 w, 1253 s, 1192 s br, 1058 br, 952 s br, 886 s, 835 w, 778 s, 689 s. Anal. Calcd. for C₂, H₆₃Si₉Nd: C, 35.39; H, 8.91. Found: C, 35.48; H, 9.11. Mp, 119-122° C.

Example 3—Synthesis of Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃

NdI₃(THF)₃ (0.183 g, 0.248 mmol) and KC(SiDMe₂)₃ (0.172 g, 0.743 mmol) were stirred in benzene (10 mL) at room temperature for 12 hours. Evaporation of the volatile materials, pentane extraction (3×5 mL), and evaporation of the pentane afforded a spectroscopically pure sticky yellow solid (0.165 g, 0.229 mmol, 92.2%). This solid was recrystallized at −30° C. from a minimal amount of pentane to obtain 1d-d₉ as colorless crystals. ¹H NMR (benzene, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 1.7 (br, SiMe₂). ¹H NMR (toluene-d₈, 600 MHz, −79° C.): δ 15.4 (s, SiMe₂), 14.6 (s, SiMe₂), −17.5 (s, SiMe₂). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2953 s, 2898 s, 2798 s, 1528 s (ν_(SiD)), 1467 s, 1408 s, 1328 s (ν_(SiD)), 1251 s, 1155 s, 939 br, 898 br, 833 s, 812 s, 779 s.

Example 4—Synthesis of Nd{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃

Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (0.121 g, 0.168 mmol) and HN(SiHMe₂)₂ (0.067 g, 0.504 mmol) were stirred in pentane (3 mL) at room temperature for 1 hour. The volatile materials were evaporated, the residue was extracted with hexamethyldisiloxane (2×2 mL), and evaporation of the hexamethyldisiloxane afforded analytically pure Nd{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃ as a sticky yellow-green solid (0.069 g, 0.127 mmol, 75.6%) ¹H NMR (toluene-d₈, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 6.12 (br, SiMe₂), 5.29 (br, SiH), 0.97 (br, SiH). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2954 s, 2899 m, 2855 w, 2091 s br (ν_(SiH)), 1922 s br (ν_(SiH)), 1416 w, 1250 s, 1177 m, 1046 s br, 895 s, 837 s, 798 s, 764 s, 688 s, 628 m, 596 m. Anal. Calcd. for C₁₂H₄₂Si₆N₃Nd: C, 26.63; H, 7.82; N, 7.76. Found: C, 26.71; H, 7.57; N, 7.67. Mp, 123-125° C.

Example 5—Synthesis of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂HB(C₆F₅)₃

B(C₆F₅)₃ (0.033 g, 0.065 mmol) was added to a benzene (4 mL) solution of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (0.046 g, 0.065 mmol) in small portions. The resulting yellow mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow paste. The residue was washed with pentane (3×5 mL) and the volatiles were evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂HB(C₆F₅)₃ as a green solid (0.057 g, 0.055 mmol, 84.7%). ¹H NMR (benzene-d₆, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 5.63 (SiMe₂). ¹¹B NMR (benzene-d₆, 119.3 MHz, 25° C.): 6-4.2 (s). ¹⁹F NMR (benzene-d₆, 564 MHz, 25° C.): δ−156.6 (3 F, para-C₆F₅)), −162.9 (6 F, meta-C₆F₅). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2959 m, 2904 w, 2255 m br (ν_(BH)), 2114 s (ν_(SiH)), 1792 m br (ν_(SiH)), 1646 m, 1605 w, 1516 s, 1467 s br, 1372 m, 1258 s, 1110 s br, 1080 s br, 972 s br, 960 s br, 894 s br, 835 br, 786 s, 681 m. Anal. Calcd. for BC₃₂F₁₅H₄₃Si₆Nd: C, 37.24; H, 4.20. Found: C, 37.51; H, 4.56. mp=178° C. dec.

Example 6—Synthesis of Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₂DB(C₆F₅)₃

B(C₆F₅)₃ (0.102 g, 0.200 mmol) was added to a benzene (4 mL) solution of Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃ (0.144 g, 0.200 mmol) in small portions. The resulting yellow mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow paste. The residue was washed with pentane (3×5 mL) and the volatiles were evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₂DB(C₆F₅)₃ as a green solid (0.152 g, 0.146 mmol, 48.9%). ¹H NMR (benzene, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 5.59 (br, SiMe₂). ¹¹B NMR (benzene, 119.3 MHz, 25° C.): δ−4.0 (br). ¹⁹F NMR (benzene, 564 MHz, 25° C.): δ−156.6 (3 F, para-C₆F₅), −162.9 (6 F, meta-C₆F₅). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2959 m, 2903 w, 1646, 1607 br, 1516 s br, 1467 s br, 1370 br, 1312 br, 1258 br, 1101 s br, 1080 s br, 977 s br, 892 s br, 841 s.

Example 7—Synthesis of Nd(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃(pyr)

Nd(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃ (0.530 g, 0.514 mmol) and pyridine (0.041 g, 0.514 mmol) were stirred in 5 mL of benzene at 25° C. for 1 hour. Evaporation of benzene solvent followed by pentane wash (2×5 mL), and evaporation of the pentane afforded a pale yellow solid of Nd(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃(pyr) which was spectroscopically pure (0.584 g, 0.433 mmol, 84.4%). ¹H NMR (benzene-d₆, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 12.17 (br, SiH), 11.01 (s, 2H, NC₅H₅), 10.29 (s, 1H, NC₅H₅), 5.08 (s, 2H, NC₅H₅), 4.27 (s, SiMe₂). ¹¹B NMR (benzene-d₆, 119.3 MHz, 25° C.): δ−25.9 (br). ¹⁹F NMR (benzene-d₆, 564 MHz, 25° C.): δ 133.9 (6 F, ortho-C₆F₅), −164.26 (3 F, para-C₆F₅), −167.34 (6 F, meta-C₆F₅). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2960 s, 2902 s, 2272 s (ν_(BH)), 2113 s (ν_(SiH)), 1863 s br (ν_(SiH)), 1699 s, 1643 s, 1602 s, 1512 s, 1465 s, 1373 s, 1275 s, 1257 s, 1222 m, 1105 s br, 1069 w, 1039 s, 1005 s, 970 s br, 896 br, 840 br, 786 s, 753 s, 701 s, 680 s, 624 s, 603 s, 567 s, 507 s, 467 s. Anal. Calcd for C₃₇H₄₈BF₁₅NdNSi₆: C, 40.04; H, 4.36; N, 1.26. Found: C, 39.98; H, 4.31; N, 1.20. mp=170-172° C.

Example 8—Synthesis of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}{HB(C₆F₅)₃}₂

B(C₆F₅)₃ (0.067 g, 0.132 mmol) was added to a benzene (4 mL) solution of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (0.047 g, 0.066 mmol) in small portions. The resulting yellow mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow paste. The residue was washed with pentane (3×5 mL) and the volatiles were evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}{HB(C₆F₅)₃}₂ as a green solid (0.076 g, 0.056 mmol, 84.8%). ¹H NMR (benzene-d₆, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 10.69 (C₇H₈), 8.29 (SiMe₂), 5.43 (C₇H₈), 2.92 (C₇H₈), −3.63 (C₇H₈). ¹³C{¹H} NMR (benzene-d₆, 150 MHz, 25° C.): δ 132.03 (C₆F₅), −1.12 (SiMe₂). ¹¹B NMR (benzene-d₆, 119.3 MHz, 25° C.): δ 25.1 (s). ¹⁹F NMR (benzene-d₆, 564 MHz, 25° C.): δ−154.24 (3 F, para-C₆F₅), −161.76 (6 F, meta-C₆F₅). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2963 m, 2257 m br (ν_(BH)), 2111 s (ν_(SiH)), 1648 m, 1606 w, 1518 s, 1467 s br, 1372 m, 1282 s, 1266 s br, 1116 s br, 1081 s br, 973 s br, 954 s br, 895 s br, 842 br, 790 s. Anal. Calcd. for B₂C₄₃F₃₀H₂₃Si₃Nd: C, 37.98; H, 1.71. Found: C, 38.09; H, 1.92. mp=181-184° C.

Example 9—Synthesis of Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}{DB(C₆F₅)₃}₂

B(C₆F₅)₃ (0.087 g, 0.170 mmol) was added to a benzene (4 mL) solution of Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃ (0.061 g, 0.085 mmol) in small portions. The resulting yellow mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow paste. The residue was washed with pentane (3×5 mL) and the volatiles were evaporated to dryness in vacuo to give NdC(SiDMe₂)₃{DB(C₆F₅)₃}₂ as a green solid (0.098 g, 0.072 mmol, 85.0%). ¹H NMR (benzene-d₆, 600 MHz, 25° C.): δ 8.29 (br, SiMe₂). ¹¹B NMR (benzene, 119.3 MHz, 25° C.): δ 37.8 (s). ¹⁹F NMR (benzene, 564 MHz, 25° C.): δ−153.4 (3 F, para-C₆F₅), −162.3 (6 F, meta-C₆F₅). IR (KBr, cm⁻¹): 2962 m, 2907 w, 1648 s, 1607 w, 1517 s br, 1465 s br, 1371 m, 1282 s br, 1261 s br, 1124 s br, 1102 s br, 1082 s br, 975 s br, 943 s br, 880 s br, 845 s br, 799 s br, 704 m.

Example 10—Discussion of Examples 1-9

Synthesis and Characterization of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃.

The homoleptic neodymium tris(alkyl) complexes were synthesized by reaction of NdI₃(THF)₃ and 3 equiv. of KC(SiHMe₂)₃ in benzene for 12 hours at room temperature. Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ formed blue block-like crystals from pentane. In contrast to neodymium iodide precursors, the combination of anhydrous rare earth chloride NdCl₃ and KC(SiHMe₂)₃ in benzene or THF at room temperature does not provide the corresponding organometallic compounds.

The selectively isotopically labeled Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃ (eq. 2) was also synthesized from KC(SiDMe₂)₃ (Yan et al., Organometallics 32:1300-1316 (2013), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) to facilitate the characterization of Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃ and study its fluxional processes.

The room temperature ¹H NMR spectra of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ contained two ¹H NMR resonances, but no signals were detected in ¹³C or ²⁹Si NMR spectra using direct or indirect detection methods. Broad ¹H NMR signals with similar chemical shifts of 1.78 ppm (775 Hz at half-height) were measured and assigned to silylmethyl groups on the basis of their integration of 6H with respect to the second peak. The second peak, which was attributed to the SiH group, exhibited a large averaged paramagnetic chemical shift for Nd (27.8 ppm). The assignments were supported by the spectra of the deuterium-labelled compounds, which showed a SiMe₂ peak at 1.7 ppm for Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃. Only four resonances were resolved in the low temperature ¹H NMR spectra of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃.

The ν_(SiH) region from 1800-2200 cm⁻¹ of the IR was particularly informative. A band at ca. 2107 cm⁻¹ was assigned to the stretching mode of a 2-center-2-electron SiH group. The compound also contained a second, lower energy band at ˜1830 cm⁻¹ assigned to the SiH mode in a three-center-two-electron Ln

H—Si moiety. The assignment of both of these bands as ν_(SiH) was supported by isotopically labeled samples Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₃, which contained two bands ν_(SiD) at ˜1529-30 and 1324-29 cm⁻¹ while the ν_(SiH) bands noted above were not observed.

Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ was highly crystalline, and a single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments provided the molecular structure shown in FIG. 1.

In addition, these homoleptic tris(alkyl) lanthanides could be starting materials for other rare earth compounds. Their reactions with amines were explored. Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and 3 equiv. of tetramethyldisilazide were reacted at room temperature to yield Ln{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃ quantitatively.

The IR spectrum of Nd{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃ showed two ν_(SiH) at 2091 and 1922 cm⁻¹ for classical and non-classical SiH interactions.

Reaction with One Equiv. Of B(C₆F₅)₃

Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ did not react with butadiene under normal conditions (excess butadiene, 60° C.) to give polybutadiene. The activation was studied based on the hypothesis that catalytically active Nd butadiene polymerization occurs with [RNd]²⁺ species. Moreover, the goal to obtain a single-site precatalyst for butadiene polymerization requires detailed investigation of the reaction of activators, primarily Lewis acids, but also halide sources and aluminum reagents.

Lewis acids, such as B(C₆F₅)₃ are known to abstract an alkyl group generating cationic alkyl complexes of rare earth metals (Zeimentz et al., Chem. Rev. 106:2404-2433 (2006), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) which are of interest due to their enhanced electrophilicity and application in homogeneous catalysis and polymerization reactions (Kramer et al., Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 665-674 (2007); Arndt et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42:5075-5079 (2003), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety). The abstraction reaction by Lewis acid creates a free coordination site on the metal center which makes it active for various catalytic and olefin polymerization reactions.

The reactions of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and one equiv. of B(C₆F₅)₃ yielded Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₂HB(C₆F₅)₃ and 0.5 equiv. of the disilacyclobutane [(Me₂HSi)₂C—SiMe₂]₂, which is formally the head-to-tail dimer of the silene (Me₂HSi)₂C═SiMe₂.

The ¹¹B NMR spectrum contained paramagnetically shifted broad signals at −4 ppm, respectively, indicating that the {(Me₂HSi)₃C}₂Nd⁺ and HB(C₆F₅)₃ groups interact in solution. In addition, ¹H NMR spectrum contained only one signal at 5.6 ppm corresponding to SiMe₂. The ¹H NMR spectra of the corresponding {(Me₂DSi)₃C}₂NdDB(C₆F₅)₃ showed a SiMe₂ peak 5.6 ppm (Nd) which supported the assignment.

In the ¹⁹F NMR spectrum of {(Me₂HSi)₃C}₂NdHB(C₆F₅)₃ measured at room temperature, only two signals were detected (e.g., −157.1 and -162.4 ppm) in a 1:2 ratio assigned to para and meta fluorine on the C₆F₅.

On adding donor ligands, such as pyridine to Nd(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃, ¹¹B NMR shifted from −18 to −23.6 ppm for La(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃ while for the paramagnetic compounds it shifted from −4 to −25.9 ppm for Nd(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃ suggesting that the HB(C₆F₅)₃ group is far from the paramagnetic influence of the metal center. This fact is also supported by ¹⁹F NMR where three ¹⁹F signals are observed at −133.9 ppm (ortho), −164.3 ppm (para) and -167.3 ppm (meta).

As in the neutral compounds, IR spectroscopy was useful. Two ν_(SiH) bands were observed at 2113 and 1792 cm⁻¹ for {(Me₂HSi)₃C}₂NdHB(C₆F₅)₃ which suggested the presence of classical and non-classical interactions within the structure. In addition, a band at 2255 cm⁻¹ was assigned to the ν_(BH), providing strong support for H abstraction. These signals were not observed in Nd{C(SiDMe₂)₃}₂DB(C₆F₅)₃, and corresponding ν_(BD) and ν_(SiD) overlapped with signals from the B(C₆F₅)₃ group and were not assigned.

Reaction with Two Equiv. Of B(C₆F₅)₃

The reactions of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and two equiv. of B(C₆F₅)₃ resulted in dicationic NdC(SiHMe₂)₃(HB(C₆F₅)₃)₂ and 1 equiv. of disilacyclobutane [(Me₂SiH)₂C—SiMe₂]₂ via β hydrogen abstraction.

NdC(SiHMe₂)₃(HB(C₆F₅)₃)₂ was catalytically active for the polymerization of butadiene (see below). In addition, the dicationic product was characterized as a toluene adduct through a single crystal X-ray diffraction study, as well as spectroscopically (¹H and ¹¹B NMR and IR). Moreover, the product NdC(SiHMe₂)₃[HB(C₆F₅)₃]₂ was soluble in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents such as pentane, cyclohexane, and decane. It could be added directly to the catalytic reaction mixture.

The ¹H NMR spectrum for the paramagnetic compounds NdC(SiHMe₂)₃(HB(C₆F₅)₃)₂, SiMe₂ appeared as a broad signal at 8.29 ppm while no SiH peak was observed. The SiMe₂ chemical shifts were confirmed by ¹H NMR of deuterium labelled. The ¹¹B NMR resonance was observed at 25.1 ppm.

A single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed that one C(SiHMe₂)₃ ligand is coordinated to the Nd center while the other two coordination sites are taken up by tridentate HB(C₆F₅)₃ group. The C(SiHMe₂)₃ ligand is oriented such that two non-classical SiH's face the Nd center. There are a total of three Nd—F interactions in the molecule including two bridging ortho-F atoms of one B(C₆F₅)₃ group and one bridging ortho-F atom from the other B(C₆F₅)₃ group. The Nd—F bond distances are 2.616(6) Å, 2.857(6) Å from one B(C₆F₅)₃ group and 2.600(7) Å from other B(C₆F₅)₃ group. These bond distances are similar to the one observed in the crystal structure of Ce(C(SiHMe₂)₃)₂HB(C₆F₅)₃. In addition to one C(SiHMe₂)₃ group and two B(C₆F₅)₃ groups, a toluene molecule also coordinates to the Nd center. The coordination of crystallization solvent molecule in the crystal structure of Nd compounds is not unusual as coordinated toluene was observed in (η-C₆H₅Me)Nd[N(C₆F₅)₂]₃ (Click et al., Chem. Commun. 633-634 (1999), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). Also, the compound co-crystallizes with benzene molecule. The bond distances of Nd—C(toluene) ranged between 2.954(13) to 3.026(12) Å which is shorter than Nd—C(toluene) bond distances in (η-C₆H₅Me)Nd[N(C₆F₅)₂]₃ (Click et al., Chem. Commun. 633-634 (1999), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) (2.98(2) to 3.324(13) Å) suggesting a stronger coordination of toluene molecule. The Nd—C bond distance is ca. 0.11 Å shorter than those in the present Nd compound suggesting the positive charge generated on the Nd center due to Lewis acid abstraction of two alkyl groups causes the molecule to shrink. Similarly, Nd—Si bond distances also shorten to 3.135(3) and 3.101(4) Å from av. 3.152 Å. There are no other crystallographically characterized Nd alkyl borates reported in literature.

Example 11—Reaction Between Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄]

Alternatively, Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and the strong Lewis acid [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] reacted to give Ph₃CH and 1,3-disilacyclobutane. Unlike the B(C₆F₅)₃ reaction, the presumed [RNd]²⁺ product was not crystallographically characterized and was not readily isolated. Instead, the reaction of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] and Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ was performed in situ to generate a catalytically active species.

It was found that simple halide sources such as Ph₃CCl, n-chlorosuccinimide, and [nBu₃NH]Cl provided hydrocarbon soluble and catalytically active neodymium polymerization catalysts (upon addition of alkylaluminum reagents). It was found that diisobutylaluminum chloride does not appear to be a good chloride source in terms of providing catalytically active neodymium species.

Addition of 2 equivalents of Ph₃CCl to Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ generated only one equivalent of Ph₃CH. This result contrasted the [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] which gave stoichiometric amounts (two equiv.) of Ph₃CH. A new organic species was found, which contained Si—H signals in the NMR. That organic species was independently synthesized and assigned to be Ph₂C═C₆H₅C(SiHMe₂)₃, resulting from nucleophilic attack on the aromatic of the trityl cation by an alkyl ligand. Small amounts of the disilacyclobutane by-product of SiH abstraction can be also identified. The neodymium product was neither isolated nor spectroscopically assigned (by NMR or IR), but notably the reaction mixture was homogeneous even in heptane or cyclohexane. Assuming NdC(SiHMe₂)₃Cl₂ was formed (based on expected stoichiometry), it was notably soluble. Alternatively, a species with Nd{C(SiClMe₂)(SiHMe₂)₂} groups was also possible to account for Ph₃CH present in the reaction mixture.

Example 12—Polymerization Studies

After studying the activation of our complexes, the butadiene polymerization chemistry of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ was tested. The important reactions are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 General RXN# Precatalyst Conditions^(a) Vinyl:Trans:Cis Mn Mw PDI Reactivity 611 [Nd] + 2 [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] + 200 TIBA (Tol) 5:44:51 8.2 18.9 2.3 High 605 [Nd] + 2 [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] + 10 TIBA (Tol) 3:34:63 7.4 15.8 2.1 Low-Mod 614 [Nd] + 2B (C₆F₅)₃ + 50 TIBA (Tol) ~0:50:50 (NMR) High 619 [Nd] + 2 B(C₆F₅)₃ + 50 TIBA (Heptane) 2:50:48 High 622 [Nd] + 2 Ph₃CCl + 50 TIBA (Heptane) 12:8:80 Moderate 649 [Nd] + 2 Ph₃CCl + 50 TIBA (Cyclohexane) ??(Still high Cis) Moderate ^(a)Reactions were performed with Nd{C(SiHMe₂}₃, Lewis acid, and AlR3 reagent. Butadiene was added to the catalytic mixture 3x at 60° C. Each charge of butadiene was allowed to react for 15-30 minutes. ^(b)Mn, Mw, and PDI are reported for select samples. ^(c)Selectivity (1,2-insertion:1,4-trans insertion:1,4-cis insertion) ratios are based on integrated peaks of IR spectra of the isolated polymer product. ^(d)Reactivity is assessed on amount of polymer isolated.

In the first two experiments, the cis:trans selectivity increased with the decreasing ratio of TIBA to catalyst. However isolated polymer yield and overall catalytic activity decreased dramatically with decreased amounts of triisobutylaluminum.

The mixture of B(C₆F₅)₃ as Lewis acid and triisobutylaluminum gave a highly active catalytic species, but poor cis-trans selectivity. Notably, catalytic activity was high under these conditions both in toluene and in heptane.

It is known from the literature that halide donors (especially chloride) will increase the cis:trans ratio. It was determined that Ph₃CCl rather than the more expensive B(C₆F₅)₃ or [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄] was able to activate Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ as a precatalyst. With Ph₃CCl, the other Lewis acid was not needed, and Ph₃CCl was both a halide donor and a catalyst activator (see above). Moreover, there was a significant increase in cis-1,4-insertion obtained with Ph₃CCl as the activator.

The catalytic activity and selectivity (in terms of cis:trans properties of the resulting polymers) using other chloride sources, was assessed with B(C₆F₅)₃ or MAO as the Lewis acid. Results are shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 General RXN# Precatalyst Conditions Vinyl:Trans:Cis Reactivity [Nd] + 100 MAO (Cyclohexane) — No isolated polymer 699 [Nd] + 100 MAO (Tol) 3:68:29 Moderate 698 [Nd] + 2 Ph₃CC1 + 100 1:11:88 High MAO (Tol) 708 [Nd] + 100 MAO + 2 Ph₃CC1 1:14:85 High (Tol) 715 [Nd] + 2 B(C₆F₅)₃ + 2 5:20:75 Moderate NCS + 100 MAO (Tol) Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃, Lewis acid, and chloride source, followed by three charges of BD at 60 C., each charge was allowed to react for 30 minutes. The reagents are given in the order in which they are added to the reactor.

In this series of experiments the use of MAO as the aluminum source and as the Lewis acid was tested. In aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents, no isolated polymer (even at extended reaction time of 4 hours) was obtained and the experiments were unsuccessful. This failure was likely due to the insolubility of MAO in cyclohexane.

In toluene, the mixture of Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and MAO provided a moderately active site that reacted primarily by 1,4-trans-insertion. Addition of Ph₃CCl, either before adding MAO or after adding MAO, gave a highly active cis-selective site. This may be noted from Experiments 698 and 708: the order of addition for MAO and Ph₃CCl doesn't effect the cis:trans ratio and had no noticeable effect on the reactivity of the amount of polymer that can be isolated. It was noticed that the use of a commonly used organic chlorine donor (n-chlorosuccinimide) can influence the cis:trans ratio but it had to be used with a borane source.

Similarly high activity and high selectivity was obtained with simply alkylaluminum reagents, chloride source, and Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Nd{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ + _ + _ → 3 charges of BD at 60° C. reacted for 60 minutes General RXN# Precatalyst Conditions Vinyl:Trans:Cis Reactivity 728 [Nd] + 100 TIBA (Cyclohexane) Needed Moderate 719 [Nd] + 2 Ph₃CC1 + 100 5:20:75 High TIBA (Cyclohexane) 721 [Nd] + 2 [^(i)Pr₂EtNH][C1] + 100 4:12:84 High TIBA (cyclohexane) 722 [Nd] + 2 [nBu₃NH][C1] + 100 Needed High TIBA (cyclohexane)

In this series of experiments, the effect of variations in the chlorine donors was explored. Remarkably, ammonium chlorides were effective activators as long as a bulky amine was the byproduct of the protonolysis. Two ammonium chlorides known to have no or very small interactions with anything other than a proton were tested. In NMR experiments with La{C(SiHMe₂)₃}₃ and these ammonium chlorides, HC(SiHMe₂)₃ and free amine were produced as byproducts. This suggested that protonolysis of the alkyl ligands was an effective approach to activate the precatalysts. No metal species from reactions with Ph₃CCl nor ammonium chlorides were isolated. When used for polymerization under the set reaction parameters listed above, it was found that DIPEA-Cl gave a polymer with higher cis selectivity than Ph₃CCl.

Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow. 

1. A precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I): M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I), wherein M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl, wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.
 2. The precatalyst according to claim 1, wherein M is a rare earth metal.
 3. The precatalyst according to claim 1, wherein M is Nd.
 4. The precatalyst according to claim 1, wherein the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ia):


5. The precatalyst according to claim 1, wherein the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ib):


6. A catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II): MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II), wherein M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl; X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane; R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; and wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr.
 7. The catalyst according to claim 6, wherein M is a rare earth metal.
 8. The catalyst according to claim 6, wherein M is Nd.
 9. The catalyst according to claim 6, wherein X is F, Cl, Br, I, O₂CR¹, methylaluminoxane (MAO), or [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], and wherein R¹ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl.
 10. The catalyst according to claim 6, wherein the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIa):


11. The catalyst according to claim 6, wherein the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIb):


12. A catalyst according to claim 6, wherein the catalyst having the structure of Formula (II) is supported by an inert carrier.
 13. The catalyst according to claim 12, wherein the inert carrier is a porous solid selected from the group consisting of talc, a sheet silicate, an inorganic oxide, and a finely divided polymer powder.
 14. A process for preparation of a catalyst comprising: providing a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I): M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I), wherein M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl; wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; providing a Lewis acid or a halide source; and forming the catalyst by reacting the precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I) with the Lewis acid or the halide source.
 15. The process according to claim 14, wherein M is a rare earth metal.
 16. The process according to claim 14, wherein M is Nd.
 17. The process according to claim 14, wherein the catalyst is formed with a Lewis acid, said Lewis acid being selected from the group consisting of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], B(C₆F₅)₃, Ph₃B, PhB(C₆H₅)₂, methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, dimethylaluminum chloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, diethylaluminum iodide, diethylaluminum chloride, diisopropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, dioctylaluminum chloride, diphenylaluminum chloride, di-p-tolylaluminum chloride, dibenzylaluminum chloride, phenylethylaluminum chloride, phenyl-n-propylaluminum chloride, phenylisopropylaluminum chloride, phenylbutylaluminum chloride, phenylisobutylaluminum chloride, phenyloctylaluminum chloride, p-tolylethylaluminum chloride, p-tolylpropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylbutylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum chloride, p-tolyloctylaluminum chloride, benzylethylaluminum chloride, benzylpropylaluminum chloride, benzylisopropylaluminum chloride, benzylbutylaluminum chloride, benzylisobutylaluminum chloride, benzyloctylaluminum chloride, propylaluminum dichloride, isopropylaluminum dichloride, butylaluminum dichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, and octylaluminum dichloride.
 18. The process according to claim 14, wherein the catalyst is formed with a halide source, said halide source being Ph₃C-Hal, N-chlorosuccinimide, [Alk₃NH][Hal], or an electrophilic chlorine source, wherein Hal is halogen and each Alkyl is independently selected in each occurrence thereof from C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 19. The process according to claim 14, wherein said providing a precatalyst comprises: providing a first intermediate compound having the structure of Formula (III): MI₃THF_(n)  (III), wherein n is 1 to 9; and reacting the first intermediate compound with a compound having the structure of Formula (IV): M₁C(SiHAlk₂)₃  (IV), wherein M₁ is a metal; under conditions effective to produce the precatalyst.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The process according to claim 19, wherein M₁ is K and Alk is Me.
 22. A catalyst prepared by the process according to claim
 14. 23. A catalyst according to claim 22, wherein the catalyst is supported by an inert carrier.
 24. The catalyst according to claim 23, wherein the inert carrier is a porous solid selected from the group consisting of talc, a sheet silicate, an inorganic oxide, and a finely divided polymer powder.
 25. The process according to claim 14, wherein the catalyst comprises a structure of Formula (II): MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II), wherein X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane; and R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 26. The process according to claim 25, wherein X is F, Cl, Br, I, O₂CR¹, methylaluminoxane (MAO), or [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], and wherein R¹ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl.
 27. The process according to claim 25, wherein the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIa):


28. The process according to claim 25, wherein the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIb):


29. A process for preparation of a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I); M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I), wherein M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl; wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; said process comprising: providing a first intermediate compound having the structure of Formula (III): MI₃THF_(n)  (III), wherein n is 1 to 9 and forming the precatalyst from the first intermediate compound of Formula (III).
 30. The process according to claim 29, wherein said forming the precatalyst comprises: reacting the first intermediate compound with a compound having the structure of Formula (IV): M₁C(SiHAlk₂)₃  (IV), wherein M₁ is a metal; under conditions effective to produce the precatalyst.
 31. The process according to claim 29, wherein M₁ is K and Alk is Me.
 32. The process according to claim 29, wherein the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ia):


33. The process according to claim 29, wherein the precatalyst has the structure of Formula (Ib):


34. A process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers, said process comprising: providing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers; providing a catalyst comprising the structure of Formula (II): MC(SiHAlk₂)₃X₂  (II), wherein M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl; X is halide, bis(oxazolinato), carboxylate, acetyl acetonate, amidate, alkoxide, amide, BR₄, AlR₄, or alkyl aluminoxane; R is independently selected at each occurrence thereof from the group consisting of H, C₆F₅, phenyl, and C₁₋₆ alkyl; and wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; and polymerizing the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of the catalyst under conditions effective to produce a polymer.
 35. The process according to claim 34, wherein M is a rare earth metal.
 36. The process according to claim 34, wherein M is Nd.
 37. The process according to claim 34, wherein X is F, Cl, Br, I, O₂CR¹, methylaluminoxane (MAO), or [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], and wherein R¹ is C₁₋₁₂ alkyl.
 38. The process according to claim 34, wherein the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIa):


39. The process according to claim 34, wherein the catalyst comprises the structure of Formula (IIb):


40. The process according to claim 34, wherein the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer is diene, styrene or ethylene.
 41. The process according to claim 40, wherein diene is 1,3-butadiene or isoprene.
 42. The process according to claim 34, wherein the polymer is polybutadiene or polyisoprene.
 43. The process according to claim 34, wherein polymerization is carried out in a presence of a solvent.
 44. The process according to claim 43, wherein the solvent is a non-polar solvent.
 45. The process according to claim 44, wherein the non-polar solvent is cyclohexane, hexane, heptane, or toluene.
 46. A process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers, said process comprising: providing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers; providing a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is prepared by the process comprising: providing a precatalyst having the structure of Formula (I): M{C(SiHAlk₂)₃}₃  (I), wherein M is a lanthanide or a transition metal; and Alk is C₁₋₆ alkyl; wherein if Alk is Me, then M is not Y, La, Ce, or Pr; reacting the precatalyst of Formula (I) under conditions effective to produce the catalyst; and polymerizing the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of the catalyst under conditions effective to produce polymer.
 47. The process according to claim 46, wherein M is a rare earth metal.
 48. The process according to claim 46, wherein M is Nd.
 49. The process according to claim 46, wherein said reacting comprises: reacting the precatalyst with a Lewis acid and/or an alkylaluminum reagent under conditions effective to produce the catalyst.
 50. The process according to claim 46, wherein said reacting comprises: reacting the precatalyst with an alkylaluminum reagent and/or a halide source under conditions effective to produce the catalyst.
 51. The process according to claim 46, wherein said reacting comprises: reacting the precatalyst with a Lewis acid and/or a halide source under conditions effective to produce the catalyst.
 52. The process according to claim 46, wherein the unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer is diene, styrene or ethylene.
 53. The process according to claim 52, wherein diene is 1,3-butadiene or isoprene.
 54. The process according to claim 46, wherein the polymer is polybutadiene or polyisoprene.
 55. The process according to claim 46, wherein polymerization is carried in a presence of a solvent.
 56. The process according to claim 55, wherein the solvent is a non-polar solvent.
 57. The process according to claim 56, wherein the non-polar solvent is cyclohexane, hexane, heptane, or toluene.
 58. The process according to claim 49, wherein the precatalyst is reacted with an alkylaluminum reagent, said alkyl aluminum reagent being selected from the group consisting of triisobutylaluminium (TIBA), methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, trimethylaluminum, tripropylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, trioctylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisoprenylaluminum, tris(2-ethylhexyl)aluminum, tricyclohexylaluminum, tris(1-methylcyclopentyl)aluminum, triphenylaluminum, tri-p-tolylaluminum, tris(2,6-dimethylphenyl)aluminum, tribenzylaluminum, diethylphenylaluminum, diethyl-p-tolylaluminum, diethylbenzylaluminum, ethyldiphenylaluminum, ethyldi-p-tolylaluminum, ethyldibenzylaluminum, triisopropylaluminum, tributylaluminum, tripentylaluminum, diazobythylaluminum hydride, diethylaluminum hydride, diisopropylaluminum hydride, dibutylaluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, dioctylaluminumhydride, diphenylaluminum hydride, di-p-tolylaluminum hydride, dibenzylaluminum hydride, phenylethylaluminum hydride, phenylpropylaluminum hydride, phenylisopropylaluminum hydride, phenylbutylaluminum hydride, phenylisobutylaluminum hydride, phenyloctylaluminum hydride, p-tolylethylaluminum hydride, p-tolylpropylaluminum hydride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum hydride, p-tolylbutylaluminum hydride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum hydride, p-tolyloctylaluminum hydride, benzylethylaluminum hydride, benzylpropylaluminum hydride, benzylisopropylaluminum hydride, benzylbutylaluminum hydride, benzylisobutylaluminum hydride, and benzyloctylaluminum hydride.
 59. The process according to claim 50, wherein the precatalyst is reacted with an alkylaluminum reagent, said alkyl aluminum reagent being selected from the group consisting of triisobutylaluminium (TIBA), methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylaluminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, trimethylaluminum, tripropylaluminum, trihexylaluminum, trioctylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisoprenylaluminum, tris(2-ethylhexyl)aluminum, tricyclohexylaluminum, tris(1-methylcyclopentyl)aluminum, triphenylaluminum, tri-p-tolylaluminum, tris(2,6-dimethylphenyl)aluminum, tribenzylaluminum, diethylphenylaluminum, diethyl-p-tolylaluminum, diethylbenzylaluminum, ethyldiphenylaluminum, ethyldi-p-tolylaluminum, ethyldibenzylaluminum, triisopropylaluminum, tributylaluminum, tripentylaluminum, diazobythylaluminum hydride, diethylaluminum hydride, diisopropylaluminum hydride, dibutylaluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride, dioctylaluminumhydride, diphenylaluminum hydride, di-p-tolylaluminum hydride, dibenzylaluminum hydride, phenylethylaluminum hydride, phenylpropylaluminum hydride, phenylisopropylaluminum hydride, phenylbutylaluminum hydride, phenylisobutylaluminum hydride, phenyloctylaluminum hydride, p-tolylethylaluminum hydride, p-tolylpropylaluminum hydride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum hydride, p-tolylbutylaluminum hydride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum hydride, p-tolyloctylaluminum hydride, benzylethylaluminum hydride, benzylpropylaluminum hydride, benzylisopropylaluminum hydride, benzylbutylaluminum hydride, benzylisobutylaluminum hydride, and benzyloctylaluminum hydride.
 60. The process according to claim 49, wherein the precatalyst is reacted with a Lewis acid, said Lewis acid being selected from the group consisting of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], B(C₆F₅)₃, Ph₃B, PhB(C₆H₅)₂, Ph₃CCl, methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylauminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, dimethylaluminum chloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, diethylaluminum iodide, diethylaluminum chloride, diisopropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, dioctylaluminum chloride, diphenylaluminum chloride, di-p-tolylaluminum chloride, dibenzylaluminum chloride, phenylethylaluminum chloride, phenyl-n-propylaluminum chloride, phenylisopropylaluminum chloride, phenylbutylaluminum chloride, phenylisobutylaluminum chloride, phenyloctylaluminum chloride, p-tolylethylaluminum chloride, p-tolylpropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylbutylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum chloride, p-tolyloctylaluminum chloride, benzylethylaluminum chloride, benzylpropylaluminum chloride, benzylisopropylaluminum chloride, benzylbutylaluminum chloride, benzylisobutylaluminum chloride, benzyloctylaluminum chloride, propylaluminum dichloride, isopropylaluminum dichloride, butylaluminum dichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, and octylaluminum dichloride.
 61. The process according to claim 51, wherein the precatalyst is reacted with a Lewis acid, said Lewis acid being selected from the group consisting of [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], B(C₆F₅)₃, Ph₃B, PhB(C₆H₅)₂, Ph₃CCl, methylaluminoxane (MAO), modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), ethylaluminoxane, propylaluminoxane, isopropylaluminoxane, butylauminoxane, isobutylaluminoxane, pentylaluminoxane, neopentylaluminoxane, hexylaluminoxane, octylaluminoxane, 2-ethylhexylaluminoxane, cylcohexylaluminoxane, 1-methylcyclopentylaluminoxane, phenylaluminoxane, 2,6-dimethylphenylaluminoxane, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum chloride, ethylaluminum dichloride, ethylaluminum sesquichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, dimethylaluminum chloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, diethylaluminum iodide, diethylaluminum chloride, diisopropylaluminum chloride, diisobutylaluminum chloride, dioctylaluminum chloride, diphenylaluminum chloride, di-p-tolylaluminum chloride, dibenzylaluminum chloride, phenylethylaluminum chloride, phenyl-n-propylaluminum chloride, phenylisopropylaluminum chloride, phenylbutylaluminum chloride, phenylisobutylaluminum chloride, phenyloctylaluminum chloride, p-tolylethylaluminum chloride, p-tolylpropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisopropylaluminum chloride, p-tolylbutylaluminum chloride, p-tolylisobutylaluminum chloride, p-tolyloctylaluminum chloride, benzylethylaluminum chloride, benzylpropylaluminum chloride, benzylisopropylaluminum chloride, benzylbutylaluminum chloride, benzylisobutylaluminum chloride, benzyloctylaluminum chloride, propylaluminum dichloride, isopropylaluminum dichloride, butylaluminum dichloride, isobutylaluminum dichloride, and octylaluminum dichloride.
 62. The process according to claim 50, wherein the precatalyst is reacted with a halide source, said halide source being Ph₃C-Hal, N-chlorosuccinimide, [Alk₃NH][Hal], or an electrophilic chlorine source, wherein Hal is halogen and each Alk is independently selected in each occurrence thereof from C₁₋₆ alkyl.
 63. The process according to claim 51, wherein the precatalyst is reacted with a halide source, said halide source being Ph₃C-Hal, N-chlorosuccinimide, [Alk₃NH][Hal], or an electrophilic chlorine source, wherein Hal is halogen and each Alk is independently selected in each occurrence thereof from C₁₋₆ alkyl. 